### 20.1 Deciding which Java Help system to use

JavaHelp and Oracle Help for Java offer true platform independence, provided a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is available for each platform you support. However, JavaHelp is no longer supported, so it is not recommended.

About JavaHelp

JavaHelp 2.0 provides features such as a “favorites” list, support for a glossary, and support for secondary windows. You can download the JavaHelp System User’s Guide in PDF format here:

http://download.java.net/javadesktop/javahelp/

Earlier versions of JavaHelp are no longer available, and current versions are no longer supported.

DITA2Go produces HTML 3.2 code for JavaHelp. The HTML 3.2 code works with the W3C validator to validate JavaHelp topic files, with one exception: JavaHelp cannot abide single quotes in <meta> tags in the <head> element, so DITA2Go omits them.

About Oracle Help for Java

Oracle Help for Java has all the capabilities of JavaHelp; can use the same files; and supports some nice extensions, such as ALinks. Information is available from the Oracle Technology Network:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/topics/index-083946.html

You must register to access the Oracle site, but registration is free.

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Next Topic: 20.2 Obtaining tools for a Java-based Help system

Parent Topic: 20. Generating JavaHelp or Oracle Help

Sibling Topics:

20.2 Obtaining tools for a Java-based Help system

20.3 Setting up a JavaHelp or Oracle Help project

20.4 Generating contents and index

20.5 Providing full-text search for JavaHelp / Oracle Help

20.6 Creating and viewing a Java Archive (JAR) file

20.7 Converting a glossary to JavaHelp 2

20.8 Defining windows for JavaHelp or Oracle Help

20.9 Linking to destinations within topics

20.10 Creating ALinks for Oracle Help

20.11 Merging JavaHelp or Oracle Help systems

20.12 Setting up CSH for JavaHelp or Oracle Help